In one of the most dynamic displays of civic engagement seen in Seattle in some time, over 200 Black men gathered at South Shore Pre-K – 8 School to welcome students to school Monday morning as part of the school’s 8th Annual celebration of National African American Parent Involvement Day (NAAPID).
NAAPID was founded twenty years ago by Joe Dulin, a retired educator, in response to a call to action (from the million man march) by then 12-year-old Ayinde Jean-Baptiste. The day is centered on African American students, but is not exclusive to African-American families from multicultural school population. Parents, administrators and volunteers at South Shore PreK-8 have participated in the NAAPID since 2007.
This year’s event took an interesting twist as Anthony Shoecraft, a parent and one of the event organizers, had an idea that would change the course of this year’s celebration. That idea was to have 100 Black men show up at the school and engage with the kids. It was both a “what if” moment that took place in a planning meeting and a challenge to see if they could actually pull it off.
For Shoecraft, the vision was simple. It was an unapologetic promotion of positive Black male imagery: 100 men of African descent — who are in and from the community — representing a diversity of hues, professions and stories enthusiastically high fiving students as they enter the building to start their day.
“I just said, what if?” said Shoecraft. “What if 100 Black men were the ones that greeted children on this day?”
Shoecraft and the members of the planning committee took up the challenge and put out the call for 100 Black men to show up for the event. The response was overwhelming, to organizers and participants alike, as over 200 Black men showed up at the school (most of them wearing business attire), ready and willing to stand up and be counted.
“My unofficial count was 204,” said Shoecraft. “To those that think that Black men aren’t in this community, this is a rejection to that narrative. We can show up, and we’re in this community.”
The goal of the event was to: reframe the social and racial narrative concerning Black men by displaying and exposing students to the diversity of Black male excellence, affirm the importance of educational equity by celebrating children and families of African descent, and catalyzing the regional adoption of NAAPID at other schools and school districts and communities throughout the region. By most accounts, mission accomplished.
“This is the best day ever,” said Shawn Davis, whose husband and son both participated in the event. “This is so beautiful to see.”
The men began gathering inside the school at 7:00 a.m., then they formed two lines outside the building where buses and parents dropped students off for school that stretched inside to the building’s rotunda.
As the kids made their way between the lines they were greeted with high fives, words of encouragement and cheers to the sounds of an African drum line. The event became so emotional that parents and the participants got caught up in the moment as they saw faces of the children light up as they made their way into the school like “rock stars.”
“This is an amazing event,” said LaCretiah Claytor, the parent of a 7th grade student at the school. “To have a young student, especially young men come in here and be greeted with such smiles, high fives, words of encouragement to start their day off.. this could really change someone’s life right now.”
“I wish they could do this every day,” added Claytor. “I walked through the line myself and it gave me chills. It’s just a beautiful thing that these young men are doing and I really appreciate them for doing it.”
The event drew Black men from all walks of life including Seattle City Council President Bruce Harrell, Seattle Fire Chief Harold Scoggins, police officers, fraternity members, former athletes, white collar workers, blue collar workers and even some people who work graveyard shifts who came to the event after they got off work.
“This is a great event with positive energy, where these kids know that the community is behind them in their pursuit for education excellence,” said Harrell.
Chief Scoggins agreed.
“This morning was a great morning,” said Chief Scoggins. “The kids are inspired to start their day off.. starting with a smile on their face, being encouraged by so many men in the community. It’s a good thing.”
While the “100 Black Men” gathering may have been the highlight of the day, it was just the beginning of a day-long NAAPID celebration. The program for the day included youth and community panel discussions, remarks from Seattle Public School Superintendent Dr. Larry Nyland, guest speakers, food, song, dance and a chance for parents to caucus and fellowship.
In addition, HBCU banners were posted throughout the school along with red, black and green décor.
While the total impact that the day had on students may not be measured for years to come, the smiles of the kids’ faces to begin their school day on Monday is something that participants will cherish forever.
“You can never put a price and you can never know how much of an impact [an event like this] will have,” said Shoecraft. “Starting the kids day off with a high five, [telling them to] be a leader, have a good day.. it’s priceless, it really is.”
While the event was marketed as “100 Black Men,” it had no affiliation with the national organization of 100 Black men or its local affiliate. However, there is speculation that the event might be the catalyst to help revitalize the local affiliate.